Changing Hearts, Changing Communities

Canadian Baha'is Sherif Rushdy and Shaku Ranigam founders of the New Era Development Institute (NEDI) in Panchgani, India work to bring a well-rounded education to remote communities in India.

Materials

Videos

Websites

Documents

Study Guide

Goal

The goal of this video is to introduce students to Canadian Baha'i Community and the work that is being done in India with regards to education. Also, to show how this work fits in to the United Nation's Millenium Development Goals (MDG) and/or Sustainable Development Goals (SDG).

Steps

1. Show the video "Changing Hearts, Changing Communities"

2. Ask students to form small groups to describe the following impressions from the video:

• What are some of the challenges India is facing?

• What does NEDI stand for and who is it helping?

• Who are Sherif Rushdy and Shaku Raniga?

• How is NEDI making a difference?

• What Millennium Development Goals and/or Sustainable Development Goals does this project relate to?

3. Option for Take-Home Assignment. Using the internet links offered here, find more facts about:

• Canadian Baha'i Community

• United Nations Millennium Development Goals

• United Nations Sustainable Development Goals

4. Write 1.5 pages on the results of your research emphasizing the Millennium Development Goals and Sustainable Development Goals context for Canadian Baha'i Community's work in India.

5. Group discussion

In groups, first share your short essays and then, asking one person to represent the discussion, make presentations to the class about any or all of the above.
Include suggestions on how students could start an ongoing global justice project or become involved with NGO projects already in existence.